My TOP 200 from 2000 to Present Day
These are my favorite films from 2000 to present day(8/15/11 - RECENTLY EDITED TO 200 FILMS INCLUDING FILMS some '16 and '17 films - though not all films from '16-on are included because my watchlists are still unfinished)). Remember this list is just my opinion of the films I've enjoyed the most. Narrowing this down was a DIFFICULT task.
I started with every film I have rated/seen from 8-10 stars(my rating) on IMDB. It started as almost exactly 150 films I had rated 8/10+, but now into late 2012 as I edit - some 8's are dropping off the list.(edited to include everything up until Jan '16
Here's the just missed list before I start(in no particular order):The Rookie, Owning Mahoney, Wasted on the Young, Oceans 11, Letters From Iwo Jima, The Avengers, The COunt of Monte Christo, The Hunt, Exit Through the Gift Shop, Bridesmaids The Queen, Barney's Version, State of Play, Find Me Guilty, Star Trek, CRAZY, Inside Job, Matador,Cloverfield, Layer Cake, The CHaser, 127 Hours, The Lookout, Body of Lies, The Music Never Stopped, Superbad,The Hunt, CJ7, Enigma, The Hunting Party, A SIngle Shot, Avatar, 3:10 to Yuma, SPartan, Gran Torino, Win Win, A Beautiful Mind, Public Enemies, The Fighter, Ratatouille, Perfect Host, The Double Hour, Raid:redemption, Paprika, Beerfest, The Girl Next Door, IPMan 2, Superbad, Waitress, The Fountain, Three BUrials of Melquis Estrada, Munich, The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Identity, Kill the Irishman, the Matador, Black Hawk Down, Tailor of Panama, A Scanner Darkly, Assassination of the coward.., Mothman Prophecies, Dark Blue, Old School, Session 9, Walk The Line, Intouchables, The Perfect Storm, Elephant, LOTR:The Fellowship of the Ring, Felon, Remember the Titans, The Dancer Upstairs, the Escapist.... All good films... deserving... but some have to be left out to get to 200...
Since the listings start with #1 - I'll start with #1 and go to #200.........
everyone has their own likes and dislikes......... While I'm sure many won't agree with the order - I truly CAN recommend every film on this list. I tried to maintain integrity within my own rating system(which is not perfected by any means). Hope you enjoy it. EDiting IN newer films as I see them..
I started with every film I have rated/seen from 8-10 stars(my rating) on IMDB. It started as almost exactly 150 films I had rated 8/10+, but now into late 2012 as I edit - some 8's are dropping off the list.(edited to include everything up until Jan '16
Here's the just missed list before I start(in no particular order):The Rookie, Owning Mahoney, Wasted on the Young, Oceans 11, Letters From Iwo Jima, The Avengers, The COunt of Monte Christo, The Hunt, Exit Through the Gift Shop, Bridesmaids The Queen, Barney's Version, State of Play, Find Me Guilty, Star Trek, CRAZY, Inside Job, Matador,Cloverfield, Layer Cake, The CHaser, 127 Hours, The Lookout, Body of Lies, The Music Never Stopped, Superbad,The Hunt, CJ7, Enigma, The Hunting Party, A SIngle Shot, Avatar, 3:10 to Yuma, SPartan, Gran Torino, Win Win, A Beautiful Mind, Public Enemies, The Fighter, Ratatouille, Perfect Host, The Double Hour, Raid:redemption, Paprika, Beerfest, The Girl Next Door, IPMan 2, Superbad, Waitress, The Fountain, Three BUrials of Melquis Estrada, Munich, The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Identity, Kill the Irishman, the Matador, Black Hawk Down, Tailor of Panama, A Scanner Darkly, Assassination of the coward.., Mothman Prophecies, Dark Blue, Old School, Session 9, Walk The Line, Intouchables, The Perfect Storm, Elephant, LOTR:The Fellowship of the Ring, Felon, Remember the Titans, The Dancer Upstairs, the Escapist.... All good films... deserving... but some have to be left out to get to 200...
Since the listings start with #1 - I'll start with #1 and go to #200.........
everyone has their own likes and dislikes......... While I'm sure many won't agree with the order - I truly CAN recommend every film on this list. I tried to maintain integrity within my own rating system(which is not perfected by any means). Hope you enjoy it. EDiting IN newer films as I see them..
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200 titles
- DirectorYôji YamadaStarsHiroyuki SanadaRie MiyazawaNenji KobayashiAs the feudal Japan era draws to a close, a widower samurai experiences difficulty balancing clan loyalties, 2 young daughters, an aged mother, and the sudden reappearance of his childhood sweetheart.The film seems stripped down... deliberate... It certainly isn't a film that will appeal to everyone, but this movie has everything that I look for... revenge... great character development... great score... just a great movie.
- DirectorRoman PolanskiStarsAdrien BrodyThomas KretschmannFrank FinlayDuring WWII, acclaimed Polish musician Wladyslaw faces various struggles as he loses contact with his family. As the situation worsens, he hides in the ruins of Warsaw in order to survive.
- DirectorPaul Thomas AndersonStarsDaniel Day-LewisPaul DanoCiarán HindsA story of family, religion, hatred, oil and madness, focusing on a turn-of-the-century prospector in the early days of the business.There's no doubt that there are mixed emotions and varied opinions on this one, but I think this movie will be looked at in a new light in 30-50 years. It is a masterpiece.
- DirectorDanny BoyleLoveleen TandanStarsDev PatelFreida PintoSaurabh ShuklaA teenager from the slums of Mumbai becomes a contestant on the show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati?' When interrogated under suspicion of cheating, he revisits his past, revealing how he had all the answers.The highest ranked Best Picture on my list. An underdog story is right up my alley. Great music, great story, great execution from Danny Boyle.
- DirectorDamien ChazelleStarsMiles TellerJ.K. SimmonsMelissa BenoistA promising young drummer enrolls at a cut-throat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are mentored by an instructor who will stop at nothing to realize a student's potential.
- DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsUma ThurmanDavid CarradineDaryl HannahAfter awakening from a four-year coma, a former assassin wreaks vengeance on the team of assassins who betrayed her.This is the pin-your-ears-back entry to the top 10. Kill Bill Vol. 1 is a violent, funny, expertly-crafted action film. Love the anime, love the big fight scene and the final fight scene. Superb flick.
- DirectorMick JacksonStarsClaire DanesJulia OrmondDavid StrathairnA biopic of Temple Grandin, an autistic woman who has become one of the top scientists in the humane livestock handling industry.Seldom does a performance elevate a movie from good to fantastic, but Claire Danes puts on the performance of a lifetime. I think this is one of two made for tv movies on the list.
- DirectorSeth GordonStarsSteve WiebeBilly MitchellMark AlpigerDie-hard gamers compete to break world records on classic arcade games.I put this here because very few films start good and just get better and better. Half-way through I could only hope that this would and could end the way I wanted it to end - and it did.
- DirectorNeill BlomkampStarsSharlto CopleyDavid JamesJason CopeViolence ensues after an extraterrestrial race forced to live in slum-like conditions on Earth finds a kindred spirit in a government agent exposed to their biotechnology.The best Sci-Fi film since Blade Runner and Empire Strikes Back. I thought it only scraped the surface of the alien and human interaction, but a film has only 2 hours to work with, and this was an adventurous 2 hours.
- DirectorGuillermo del ToroStarsIvana BaqueroAriadna GilSergi LópezIn the Falangist Spain of 1944, the bookish young stepdaughter of a sadistic army officer escapes into an eerie but captivating fantasy world.Never have I seen a film that crossed-genres so seemlessly. It's a frightening film with expertly crafted fantasy elements. I loved this movie!
- DirectorCatherine OwensMark PellingtonStarsBonoAdam ClaytonThe EdgeA 3-D presentation of U2's global "Vertigo" tour. Shot at seven different shows, this production employs the greatest number of 3-D cameras ever used for a single project.
- DirectorAlexander PayneStarsPaul GiamattiThomas Haden ChurchVirginia MadsenTwo men reaching middle age with not much to show but disappointment embark on a week-long road trip through California's wine country, just as one is about to take a trip down the aisle.Paul Giamatti is incredible here. The story is realistic and hilarious. The characters are well-developed, and this film has style pouring out of it like a fine bottle of wine at a dinner table with friends.
- DirectorNicolas Winding RefnStarsRyan GoslingCarey MulliganBryan CranstonA mysterious Hollywood action film stuntman gets in trouble with gangsters when he tries to help his neighbor's husband rob a pawn shop while serving as his getaway driver.restrained script. The film oozes style and the ending is just fantastic.
- DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsJamie FoxxChristoph WaltzLeonardo DiCaprioWith the help of a German bounty-hunter, a freed slave sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal plantation owner in Mississippi.Vintage Tarantino. Over-Stylized, Gory, Foul-mouthed. If it weren't so darn entertaining! Cinematography and acting are aces.
- DirectorAlex GarlandStarsAlicia VikanderDomhnall GleesonOscar IsaacA young programmer is selected to participate in a ground-breaking experiment in synthetic intelligence by evaluating the human qualities of a highly advanced humanoid A.I.
- DirectorJean-Pierre JeunetStarsAudrey TautouGaspard UllielJodie FosterTells the story of a young woman's relentless search for her fiancé, who has disappeared from the trenches of the Somme during World War One.The cinematography is amazing, the story is intriguing, and the acting is superlative. What more could a viewer ask for? And don't say no subtitles.
- DirectorSofia CoppolaStarsBill MurrayScarlett JohanssonGiovanni RibisiA faded movie star and a neglected young woman form an unlikely bond after crossing paths in Tokyo.This movie really makes you think about relationships and environment. I think it's one of those movies that will hold up forever. It makes you think, and it makes you feel.
- DirectorMartin CampbellStarsDaniel CraigEva GreenJudi DenchAfter earning 00 status and a licence to kill, secret agent James Bond sets out on his first mission as 007. Bond must defeat a private banker funding terrorists in a high-stakes game of poker at Casino Royale, Montenegro.This put the spark back in bond. The bond movies were getting silly,... too silly... and Craig's bond brought a severe degree of realism to the character. A successful pre-quel to a great franchise. Nothing like going into a movie with huge expectations, and then having it exceed them.
- DirectorAlejandro AmenábarStarsJavier BardemBelén RuedaLola DueñasThe factual story of Spaniard Ramon Sampedro, who fought a 28-year campaign in favor of euthanasia and his own right to die.Javier Bardem is the best in the business, and it shows in this fantastic film based on a true story.
- DirectorDamián SzifronStarsDarío GrandinettiMaría MarullMónica VillaSix short stories that explore the extremities of human behavior involving people in distress.
- DirectorDavid FincherStarsJesse EisenbergAndrew GarfieldJustin TimberlakeAs Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg creates the social networking site that would become known as Facebook, he is sued by the twins who claimed he stole their idea and by the co-founder who was later squeezed out of the business.Fact or fiction is irrelevant to me. Love the music and the performances. The script is amazing. This is quality film-making.
- DirectorSpike LeeStarsDenzel WashingtonClive OwenJodie FosterA police detective, a bank robber, and a high-power broker enter high-stakes negotiations after the criminal's brilliant heist spirals into a hostage situation.Garnered far too-little attention from viewers and the Academy.
- DirectorAndrew StantonLee UnkrichStarsAlbert BrooksEllen DeGeneresAlexander GouldAfter his son is captured in the Great Barrier Reef and taken to Sydney, a timid clownfish sets out on a journey to bring him home.My favorite PIXAR film.
- DirectorDenis VilleneuveStarsHugh JackmanJake GyllenhaalViola DavisWhen Keller Dover's daughter and her friend go missing, he takes matters into his own hands as the police pursue multiple leads and the pressure mounts.The car scene at the end had me screaming "director-to-watch", and of course now he's signing-on for Blade Runner 2 and other big-time projects. Riveting film.
- DirectorAlexander PayneStarsGeorge ClooneyShailene WoodleyAmara MillerA land baron tries to reconnect with his two daughters after his wife is seriously injured in a boating accident.I just don't understand why this is 7.2 on IMDB. It deserves at least an 8.0. The acting is incredible across the board. The film captures Hawaii in a special way, and has seemed to move-up my lists as time has went-on. It's just a great movie.
- DirectorMalik BendjelloulStarsRodriguezStephen 'Sugar' SegermanDennis CoffeyTwo South Africans set out to discover what happened to their unlikely musical hero, the mysterious 1970s rock n roller, Rodriguez.
- DirectorJon FavreauStarsJon FavreauRobert Downey Jr.Scarlett JohanssonA head chef quits his restaurant job and buys a food truck in an effort to reclaim his creative promise, while piecing back together his estranged family.This seemingly harmless and insignificant film has charm in spades. Favreau is excellent. Lovable. Infinitely re-watchable.
- DirectorDan GilroyStarsJake GyllenhaalRene RussoBill PaxtonWhen Louis Bloom, a con man desperate for work, muscles into the world of L.A. crime journalism, he blurs the line between observer and participant to become the star of his own story.Great lead performance. I could have done without the last 5 minutes of the film, but the first 110 minutes is just aces.
- DirectorJacques AudiardStarsMarion CotillardMatthias SchoenaertsArmand VerdurePut in charge of his young son, Alain leaves Belgium for Antibes to live with his sister and her husband as a family. Alain's bond with Stephanie, a killer whale trainer, grows deeper after Stephanie suffers a horrible accident.The ending is a bit cliche'd and hurried, but everything leading up to it is so near-perfect that overall it's the best film from 2012, and top 30 here. A few scenes are unforgettable.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsChristian BaleHeath LedgerAaron EckhartWhen the menace known as the Joker wreaks havoc and chaos on the people of Gotham, Batman must accept one of the greatest psychological and physical tests of his ability to fight injustice.Take out the bus pulling in-line, and speed up the last 30 minutes and this would be top 5.
- DirectorWoody AllenStarsOwen WilsonRachel McAdamsKathy BatesWhile on a trip to Paris with his fiancée's family, a nostalgic screenwriter finds himself mysteriously going back to the 1920s every day at midnight.A delightful charmer that throws a pie in the face of the normal rom-com, and is bolstered by yet another superb Woody Allen script.
- DirectorDavid FincherStarsDaniel CraigRooney MaraChristopher PlummerJournalist Mikael Blomkvist is aided in his search for a woman who has been missing for 40 years by young computer hacker Lisbeth Salander.FIncher polishes and paces-up the foreign hit, making it even better. Sure, it's 'americanized' in nearly every way, but the production values, the action, the style, and the acting exceed the original.
- DirectorDestin Daniel CrettonStarsBrie LarsonFrantz TurnerJohn Gallagher Jr.A 20-something supervising staff member of a residential treatment facility navigates the troubled waters of that world alongside her co-worker and longtime boyfriend.Small independent film hits you like a mack-truck. My top film of 2013.
- DirectorBarry JenkinsStarsMahershala AliNaomie HarrisTrevante RhodesA young African-American man grapples with his identity and sexuality while experiencing the everyday struggles of childhood, adolescence, and burgeoning adulthood.
- DirectorDarren AronofskyStarsMickey RourkeMarisa TomeiEvan Rachel WoodA faded professional wrestler must retire, but finds his quest for a new life outside the ring a dispiriting struggle.You really feel the desperation of the main character. He's not a bad person, but he has been. He's not a hero, but he has been. He's not a savior, but he wants to be. This is a really good movie. Aronofsky is great.
- DirectorTom HooperStarsColin FirthGeoffrey RushHelena Bonham CarterThe story of King George VI, his unexpected ascension to the throne of the British Empire in 1936, and the speech therapist who helped the unsure monarch overcome his stammer.Colin Firth is amazing here. I had chills during the speech - how could you not. This is film royalty.
- DirectorPaul HaggisStarsDon CheadleSandra BullockThandiwe NewtonLos Angeles citizens with vastly separate lives collide in interweaving stories of race, loss and redemption.This is one powerful film that really brings racism to the forefront.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsLeonardo DiCaprioJonah HillMargot RobbieBased on the true story of Jordan Belfort, from his rise to a wealthy stock-broker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government.Incredible performance from Leo. Has that "Goodfellas" pace and razor script. Excellent film.
- DirectorEthan CoenJoel CoenStarsTommy Lee JonesJavier BardemJosh BrolinViolence and mayhem ensue after a hunter stumbles upon the aftermath of a drug deal gone wrong and over two million dollars in cash near the Rio Grande.A tense, gripping film. I'm very glad I caught this on the big screen.
- DirectorLee UnkrichStarsTom HanksTim AllenJoan CusackThe toys are mistakenly delivered to a day-care center instead of the attic right before Andy leaves for college, and it's up to Woody to convince the other toys that they weren't abandoned and to return home.Hopefully they'll call it quits on this high-note. A very good movie.
- DirectorWes AndersonStarsGeorge ClooneyMeryl StreepBill MurrayAn urbane fox cannot resist returning to his farm raiding ways and then must help his community survive the farmers' retaliation.Another one that will stand the test of time. There aren't too many of these that appeal to kids and adults - especially without being over-dramatic. This movie is just pure fun.
- DirectorSpike JonzeStarsJoaquin PhoenixAmy AdamsScarlett JohanssonIn a near future, a lonely writer develops an unlikely relationship with an operating system designed to meet his every need.Reminds me a bit of Electric Dreams, only with stellar production values, a fantastic lead performance, and better overall.
- DirectorTim BurtonStarsEwan McGregorAlbert FinneyBilly CrudupA frustrated son tries to determine the fact from fiction in his dying father's life.Part fantasy, part devastating drama... Big Fish was a big hit in my opinion.
- DirectorDavid MackenzieStarsChris PineBen FosterJeff BridgesToby is a divorced father who's trying to make a better life. His brother is an ex-con with a short temper and a loose trigger finger. Together, they plan a series of heists against the bank that's about to foreclose on their family ranch.
- DirectorPeter JacksonStarsElijah WoodIan McKellenViggo MortensenWhile Frodo and Sam edge closer to Mordor with the help of the shifty Gollum, the divided fellowship makes a stand against Sauron's new ally, Saruman, and his hordes of Isengard.Not as boring as the first and not as self-righteous as the finale'. This is a great action film.
- DirectorMorten TyldumStarsAksel HennieSynnøve Macody LundNikolaj Coster-WaldauAn accomplished headhunter risks everything to obtain a valuable painting owned by a former mercenary.The film has a few glaring issues, but retains an edge that only foreign action films can have - managing to show characters who aren't interested in our approval, and style that is far from cliche'.
- DirectorKevin MacdonaldStarsSimon YatesJoe SimpsonBrendan MackeyThe true story of two climbers and their perilous journey up the west face of Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes in 1985.Engrossing doc captures the fear and grandeur of the subject. The re-enactment scenes among the best of their kind ever put to film. Love this film.
- DirectorEdward ZwickStarsLeonardo DiCaprioDjimon HounsouJennifer ConnellyA fisherman, a smuggler, and a syndicate of businessmen match wits over the possession of a priceless diamond.Not a perfect film. If this would have ended on the mountain-side and not hollywooded-up the ending - it would have been top 10.
- DirectorKar-Wai WongStarsTony Leung Chiu-waiMaggie CheungSiu Ping-LamTwo neighbors form a strong bond after both suspect extramarital activities of their spouses. However, they agree to keep their bond platonic so as not to commit similar wrongs.Perhaps the best 'looking' film on the entire list. Needs a couple of watches just to get the just of it, but still reads like an unfinished book.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsMatthew McConaugheyAnne HathawayJessica ChastainWhen Earth becomes uninhabitable in the future, a farmer and ex-NASA pilot, Joseph Cooper, is tasked to pilot a spacecraft, along with a team of researchers, to find a new planet for humans.the film is certainly epic, well-acted, and seems to go by pretty quickly for it's long running time. The ending and plot could have been tied together just a little better, but I certainly wouldn't be of any help in suggesting how. It's a really good movie.
- DirectorJames GunnStarsChris PrattVin DieselBradley CooperA group of intergalactic criminals must pull together to stop a fanatical warrior with plans to purge the universe.Might be sliding a bit further as time goes by. Loved it the first time I saw it, but losing a bit of steam upon re-watches. Defo entertaining.
- DirectorBong Joon HoStarsSong Kang-hoKim Sang-kyungKim Roe-haIn a small Korean province in 1986, two detectives struggle with the case of multiple young women being found raped and murdered by an unknown culprit.Feels so damn real.
- DirectorDuncan JonesStarsSam RockwellKevin SpaceyDominique McElligottAstronaut Sam Bell has a quintessentially personal encounter toward the end of his three-year stint on the Moon, where he, working alongside his computer, GERTY, sends back to Earth parcels of a resource that has helped diminish our planet's power problems.A bit too long, but perhaps the best directorial debut since "Kontrol". ROckwell is superb, the opening credits just cool-as-hell, and the scoring is second to none. Duncan Jones is a director to watch.
- DirectorTony GilroyStarsGeorge ClooneyTilda SwintonTom WilkinsonA law firm brings in its "fixer" to remedy the situation after a lawyer has a breakdown while representing a chemical company that he knows is guilty in a multibillion-dollar class action suit.
- DirectorHa YooStarsZo In-sungChun Ho-jinMin Nam-koongA small time thug collecting debts for the local triad is torn between his criminal aspirations and his devotion to family.Only the Koreans can make a film that is so funny, so dramatic, so violent, and so soulful all at the same time. A Ditry Carnival is one of the most under-viewed gems since 2000 - without question.
- DirectorJulian SchnabelStarsMathieu AmalricEmmanuelle SeignerMarie-Josée CrozeThe true story of Elle editor Jean-Dominique Bauby who suffers a stroke and has to live with an almost totally paralyzed body; only his left eye isn't paralyzed.Whimsical, hilarious, and yet dead serious and heartbreaking. Weird combination? Yes, and done soooo right.
- DirectorMartin McDonaghStarsColin FarrellBrendan GleesonCiarán HindsAfter a job gone wrong, hitman Ray and his partner await orders from their ruthless boss in Bruges, Belgium, the last place in the world Ray wants to be.Genre bender. Good performances. Good camera work.
- DirectorLuc BessonStarsRie RasmussenJamel DebbouzeGilbert MelkiA beautiful woman helps an inept scam artist get his game together.Sure, it's unbelievable and simple. But Arborgasts black and white cinematography in Paris, along with Besson edge for strong female leads, sci-fi, and stylized action, make for one of the best sleepers since 2000. Great fun. Personally, I find the ending to be ultra-powerful and well-shot considering the task.
- DirectorAlejandro G. IñárrituStarsMichael KeatonZach GalifianakisEdward NortonA washed-up superhero actor attempts to revive his fading career by writing, directing, and starring in a Broadway production.the achievement in terms of filming in one shot doesn't feel gimmicky - it feels amazing. I actually think it was cut in two maybe three places that I noticed it might of been, but still. Add some strong performances, and a sci-fi-ish finish, and you have yourself an original winner.
- DirectorLee Jeong-beomStarsWon BinKim Sae-ronKim Tae-hoonA quiet pawnshop keeper with a violent past takes on a drug-and-organ trafficking ring in hope of saving the child who is his only friend.I'm positive that many will think this is over-rated here, but it's my list and I love this movie.
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsDaveigh ChaseSuzanne PleshetteMiyu IrinoDuring her family's move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches and spirits, and where humans are changed into beasts.Escape to a different world. I kept thinking after seeing Inside Out, because it was so highly rated, "why" didn't this film receive the same type of attention and accolades among American audiences? I mean it's a cartoon so dubbing it isn't an issue at all... so why? Awesome animated film.
- DirectorAntoine FuquaStarsDenzel WashingtonEthan HawkeScott GlennA rookie cop spends his first day as a Los Angeles narcotics officer with a rogue detective who isn't what he appears to be.Denzel AND Hawke are just lights-out here. I'm surprised this film doesn't get mentioned more among the best since 2000, or as one of the best of '01. The ending is so satisfying and the film one of the best dirty-cop films ever made - if not the best.
- DirectorDavid FincherStarsBen AffleckRosamund PikeNeil Patrick HarrisWith his wife's disappearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man sees the spotlight turned on him when it's suspected that he may not be innocent.I love these whodunnits, and fincher's direction, reznor's scoring, and the violent twist towards the end make this.
- DirectorDerek CianfranceStarsRyan GoslingBradley CooperEva MendesTwo men and their sons must deal with the unforeseen consequences of their actions.A tough watch. Big-turns in the plot seem like a desperately-needed smack to the face of the film industry. Very, very good film.
- DirectorDavid SchwimmerStarsClive OwenCatherine KeenerLiana LiberatoA teenage girl is targeted by an online sexual predator.SUre, it feels like a hallmark saturday afternoon special, but Schwimmer's grasp of the subject matter, coupled with an outstanding breakout performance from the young lead, shoot this straight outta afternoon television and into the hollywoodisphere. Rarely do we get a film like this that is this accurate in terms of timeline and plotting.
- DirectorPete DocterBob PetersonStarsEdward AsnerJordan NagaiJohn Ratzenberger78-year-old Carl Fredricksen travels to Paradise Falls in his house equipped with balloons, inadvertently taking a young stowaway.'Up' is a film that will take you away. I found that the weird second half of the film added a great light-heartedness to an other-wise heavy film. Amazing animation.
- DirectorNimród AntalStarsSándor CsányiEszter BallaZoltán MucsiA tale about a strange young man, Bulcsú, the fellow inspectors on his team, all without exception likable characters, a rival ticket inspection team and racing along the tracks - and a tale about love.
- DirectorKurt KuenneStarsKurt KuenneAndrew BagbyDavid BagbyA filmmaker decides to memorialize a murdered friend when his friend's ex-girlfriend announces she is expecting his son.devastating.
- DirectorGrant GeeStarsRichard BoonAnton CorbijnKevin CumminsA chronological account of the influential late 1970s English rock band.
- DirectorCameron CroweStarsBilly CrudupPatrick FugitKate HudsonA high-school boy in the early 1970s is given the chance to write a story for Rolling Stone magazine about an up-and-coming rock band as he accompanies them on their concert tour.Has a delicate balance of great music, drama, and comedy. This was right up my alley.
- DirectorTom FordStarsAmy AdamsJake GyllenhaalMichael ShannonA wealthy art gallery owner is haunted by her ex-husband's novel, a violent thriller she interprets as a symbolic revenge tale.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsChristian BaleMichael CaineKen WatanabeAfter witnessing his parents' death, Bruce learns the art of fighting to confront injustice. When he returns to Gotham as Batman, he must stop a secret society that intends to destroy the city.It's a shame that 'The Dark Knight' over-shadowed this great superhero film. I do believe that Dark Knight has higher production value, but this is just as re-watchable and fun as its' successor.
- DirectorRyan CooglerStarsMichael B. JordanSylvester StalloneTessa ThompsonThe former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis Johnson, the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed.
- DirectorRidley ScottStarsMatt DamonJessica ChastainKristen WiigAn astronaut becomes stranded on Mars after his team assume him dead, and must rely on his ingenuity to find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive and can survive until a potential rescue.
- DirectorGeorge MillerStarsTom HardyCharlize TheronNicholas HoultIn a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a woman rebels against a tyrannical ruler in search for her homeland with the aid of a group of female prisoners, a psychotic worshiper and a drifter named Max.
- DirectorEdward ZwickStarsTom CruiseKen WatanabeBilly ConnollyNathan Algren, a US army veteran, is hired by the Japanese emperor to train his army in the modern warfare techniques. Nathan finds himself trapped in a struggle between two eras and two worlds.Very well-crafted. Great cinematography and great acting. I don't care much for Tom Cruise, but this movie is engrossing.
- DirectorRick FamuyiwaStarsShameik MooreTony RevoloriKiersey ClemonsLife changes for Malcolm, a geek who's surviving life in a tough neighborhood, after a chance invitation to an underground party leads him and his friends into a Los Angeles adventure.
- DirectorRon HowardStarsRussell CroweRenée ZellwegerCraig BierkoThe true story of James J. Braddock, a supposedly washed-up boxer, who returned to the spotlight to win the heavyweight championship of the world.I did a little research on boxing of this era, and I believe that this movie was pretty close to what happened. The actors even resemble the real boxers(well, russell is a little too big). A great underdog story. It won't be the last on the list.
- DirectorScott GlossermanStarsNathan BaeselAngela GoethalsZelda RubinsteinThe next great killer and psychopath has given a documentary film crew exclusive access to his life as he plans his reign of terror over the quiet town of Glen Echo.I'm a sucker for low-budget films and horror movies - so this hit me right where it hurts. I love this 'B' movie. Hilarious throughout, and yet it still stays true to its' horror roots in the films second half.
- DirectorAdam McKayStarsWill FerrellChristina ApplegateSteve CarellIn the 1970s, an anchorman's stint as San Diego's top-rated newsreader is challenged when an ambitious newswoman becomes his co-anchor.Their aren't too many comedies on the list. Perhaps the most quotable comedy since Caddyshack.
- DirectorDarren AronofskyStarsNatalie PortmanMila KunisVincent CasselNina is a talented but unstable ballerina on the verge of stardom. Pushed to the breaking point by her artistic director and a seductive rival, Nina's grip on reality slips, plunging her into a waking nightmare.
- DirectorPaul VerhoevenStarsCarice van HoutenSebastian KochThom HoffmanIn the Nazi-occupied Netherlands during World War II, a Jewish singer infiltrates the regional Gestapo headquarters for the Dutch resistance.A Very Long Engagement 'Light'. Good storytelling and great production values. The lead is a supreme hotty.
- DirectorSteven SoderberghStarsMichael DouglasBenicio Del ToroCatherine Zeta-JonesA conservative judge is appointed by the President to spearhead America's escalating war against drugs, only to discover that his teenage daughter is a crack addict. Two DEA agents protect an informant. A jailed drug baron's wife attempts to carry on the family business.A tough watch because of the disturbing subject matter, but the acting and pacing is superb.
- DirectorPaul GreengrassStarsMatt DamonJason IsaacsGreg KinnearDiscovering covert and faulty intelligence causes a U.S. Army officer to go rogue as he hunts for Weapons of Mass Destruction in an unstable region.For a film that lacks character development and probably takes many liberties with the plot - I loved every minute.
- DirectorMichel GondryStarsJim CarreyKate WinsletTom WilkinsonWhen their relationship turns sour, a couple undergoes a medical procedure to have each other erased from their memories forever.A strange delight.
- DirectorGore VerbinskiStarsJohnny DeppGeoffrey RushOrlando BloomBlacksmith Will Turner teams up with eccentric pirate "Captain" Jack Sparrow to save his love, the governor's daughter, from Jack's former pirate allies, who are now undead.I really enjoyed the first one. Then they went and turned it into a three-ring circus.
- DirectorGuy RitchieStarsJason StathamBrad PittStephen GrahamUnscrupulous boxing promoters, violent bookmakers, a Russian gangster, incompetent amateur robbers and supposedly Jewish jewelers fight to track down a priceless stolen diamond.Going go back and fill in summaries to get these all in...
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsGuy PearceCarrie-Anne MossJoe PantolianoA man with short-term memory loss attempts to track down his wife's murderer.A tedious story with great acting across the board. I love Guy Pearce.
- DirectorDenis VilleneuveStarsHarrison FordRyan GoslingAna de ArmasYoung Blade Runner K's discovery of a long-buried secret leads him to track down former Blade Runner Rick Deckard, who's been missing for thirty years.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsLeonardo DiCaprioMatt DamonJack NicholsonAn undercover cop and a mole in the police attempt to identify each other while infiltrating an Irish gang in South Boston.
- DirectorSam MendesStarsDaniel CraigJavier BardemNaomie HarrisJames Bond's loyalty to M is tested when her past comes back to haunt her. When MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.
- DirectorEdgar WrightStarsAnsel ElgortJon BernthalJon HammAfter being coerced into working for a crime boss, a young getaway driver finds himself taking part in a heist doomed to fail.
- DirectorFernando MeirellesKátia LundStarsAlexandre RodriguesLeandro FirminoMatheus NachtergaeleIn the slums of Rio, two kids' paths diverge as one struggles to become a photographer and the other a kingpin.
- DirectorCary Joji FukunagaStarsMia WasikowskaMichael FassbenderJamie BellA mousy governess who softens the heart of her employer soon discovers that he's hiding a terrible secret.
- DirectorRob MarshallStarsRenée ZellwegerCatherine Zeta-JonesRichard GereTwo death-row murderesses develop a fierce rivalry while competing for publicity, celebrity, and a sleazy lawyer's attention.
- DirectorPeter BergStarsMark WahlbergTaylor KitschEmile HirschMarcus Luttrell and his team set out on a mission to capture or kill notorious Taliban leader Ahmad Shah, in late June 2005. Marcus and his team are left to fight for their lives in one of the most valiant efforts of modern warfare.
- DirectorPark Chan-wookStarsChoi Min-sikYoo Ji-taeKang Hye-jeongAfter being kidnapped and imprisoned for fifteen years, Oh Dae-Su is released, only to find that he must track down his captor in five days.
- DirectorStephen ChboskyStarsLogan LermanEmma WatsonEzra MillerCharlie, a 15-year-old introvert, enters high school and is nervous about his new life. When he befriends his seniors, he learns to cope with his friend's suicide and his tumultuous past.
- DirectorYimou ZhangStarsZiyi ZhangTakeshi KaneshiroAndy LauA romantic police captain breaks a beautiful member of a rebel group out of prison to help her rejoin her fellows, but things are not what they seem.
- DirectorTomas AlfredsonStarsKåre HedebrantLina LeanderssonPer RagnarOskar, an overlooked and bullied boy, finds love and revenge through Eli, a beautiful but peculiar girl.